Nigeria: Calls for a national day of mourning for Christians killed by terrorists

In the thick of Christian persecution, Nigeria’s Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is urging for a national day of mourning for the Christians who fell at the hands of terrorists. There are calls that this Sunday be marked as a national day of mourning for Christians who were killed by Fulani terrorists in southern Kaduna State of Nigeria.

In the thick of escalating persecution of Christians. Muslim Fulani herdsmen have been attacking Christian villages. Nigeria’s Government has pledged to resolve the repeated clashes between Muslim herdsmen and Christian farmers. Nigerian President has attributed to “poverty, injustice and the lack of job opportunities.” CAN says that this is ethnic and religious cleansing by “Islamic fundamentalists disguising as Fulani herdsmen.”

CAN further appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for being successful against Boko Haram. CAN’s general secretary Dr. Musa Asake said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence “speaks volumes over perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.”

Dr. Musa Asake said that Sunday, January 8 has been designated as a national day of mourning by Nigerian Christians. “We are to pray fervently for our southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria. Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017. We are to pray that God who delivered the Jews from Haman should deliver Christians from Hamans in Nigeria. An injustice to one is an injustice to all.”

He further said that the Church in Nigeria had been subjected to a “systematic genocide and persecution.” In recent years, militants from Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen have attacked thousands of Christians, and have destroyed many churches.

In this regard, President of Nigeria Buhari directed inspector general of police to visit Kaduna state, to evaluate the situation and take “strong actions” in order to thwart the violence. A spokesman said that a police force has been set up in this regard, and said that two additional battalions of army were also being set up.